Five dead after woman taunted over her cooking skills get revenge by poisoning family meal

Police in India's western state of Maharashtra have arrested a 28-year-old woman for allegedly poisoning food at a family function killing five people, including four children.

The woman, arrested in the Raigad district on Friday, committed the crime over constant taunts from her husband's family and in-laws over her dark complexion and lack of cooking skills, police said.

She had allegedly laced the food prepared for a house-warming party thrown by a relative on Monday with pesticide, senior police official Sanjay Patil said.

Four children, between seven and 13 years old and a 53-year-old man died after consuming the food. The dead included two of her relatives.

A photo of alleged offender Pradnya Survase. Picture: Hindustan Times (Hindustan Times)The woman allegedly committed the crime over constant taunts from her husband's family and in-laws over her dark complexion and lack of cooking skills. Picture: Getty (Getty)

"The woman was married two years ago (and) said she was humiliated and victimised by her husband's family who often mocked her over her dark skin tone and lack of cooking skills," Mr Patil said.

"She admitted to the crime citing marital, family disputes.

"She held a grudge against them and she had an intention to kill her in-laws and other relatives by mixing pesticide in the food."